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Finance Committee backs transportation project priorities and introduces 9‑1‑1 staffing and community assistance funding ordinances
Summary
The committee supported prioritized projects for State DOT grant applications (including the Kenai Senior Center request), introduced an ordinance to add two full‑time 9‑1‑1 dispatch positions to support Southeast service, and introduced acceptance of $426,303 in community assistance pass‑through grants; staff said most communities completed meetings and unspent funds may need to be returned to the state.
The Kenai Peninsula Borough Finance Committee on Dec. 1 approved forwarding prioritized transportation projects for State of Alaska grant applications, introduced two ordinances related to public safety staffing and community assistance, and accepted a briefing on grant administration.
Heather Gere, a borough staffer, told the committee the transportation resolution would enable nonprofits to apply for State Department of Transportation and Public Facilities grants consistent with project priorities set at an Oct. 22 public meeting. Gere said prioritized projects include an accessible vehicle for the Kenai Senior Center and transportation vouchers for the Homer, Seward and Central Peninsula areas.
Gere also introduced an ordinance to accept and appropriate $426,303 in community assistance pass‑through funds from the State of Alaska for unincorporated communities. She said 27 communities were eligible and 24 had held community meetings to identify projects; the grant agreement allows extensions of up to two years for spending, and staff said funds unspent by the deadline would likely have to be returned to the state.
Tammy Gojekockel, 9‑1‑1 coordinator for the Soldotna Public Safety Communications Center, introduced an ordinance to appropriate Department of Public Safety revenue to fund two full‑time public safety dispatch positions to support services for Southeast Alaska. Gojekockel said the positions are expected to be permanent but the memorandum of agreement includes a 12‑month exit provision. Committee members asked about funding continuity and routing scope; Gojekockel said the center remains the primary 9‑1‑1 center for Kenai Peninsula calls and will handle Southeast routing under the MOA arrangements but that it is not taking all 9‑1‑1 calls statewide.
All items were introduced or presented; the transcript does not record final adoption votes during this meeting.
